GNASSM taskforce arrests 5 galamseyers, destroys 40 changfans on River Birim

Five people have been arrested by the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners taskforce for mining in the Birim River at Akyem Mampong and Anyinam in the Eastern Region's Atewa East District.

In addition, the taskforce seized two recently constructed Changfans that were ready to be launched into the Birim River by galamseyers and set forty Changfans on fire.

A few days after the military visited the location to burn several changfans, the suspects, along with a number of other obstinate illegal miners, returned to the site to resume their unlawful activities.

When the taskforce encircled them while they were busy mining with their changfans, two of them were detained right in the midst of the river.

As the taskforce was leaving the location, they happened to spot a vehicle carrying two recently built Changfans being driven to the same location.

When the taskforce saw them, the two truck occupants ran away, but the taskforce pursued them, and they were later taken into custody.

Nana Kwadwo Ayimadu, the last individual who showed up, claiming ownership of the changfans, and others who attempted to stop the taskforce from towing the truck with the changfans, was also taken into custody.

Treasurer of the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners, Thomas Larbi, who oversaw the activities, in an interview with the media, reaffirmed his organization's resolve to deal with illegal miners contaminating water sources in the country.

The suspects who were brought to the Kibi District Police Command, he continued, are still being held and will soon be charged in court.